Starting your own chicken coop can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Fresh eggs every morning, adorable feathered friends, and tasty homegrown meat are just a few of the benefits. However, before you dive in, it’s important to understand everything involved with properly caring for chickens. This article will walk you through all the essentials for starting your backyard flock.
Selecting the Right Chickens
Before purchasing any chickens, research which breeds will work best for your needs. Here are some things to consider:
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Egg production – Some breeds like Rhode Island Reds lay up to 300 eggs per year, while others only lay 100-150.
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Cold hardy – Certain breeds tolerate cold climates better If you live in a northern area, prioritize these
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Heat tolerant – Similarly, some breeds handle heat better than others. Important for southern regions.
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Personality – Some breeds are docile and friendly while others can be aggressive. Factor in children or frequent handlers.
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Cost – Prices range from $2/chick for standard production breeds to $25+ for specialty show birds. Set a budget.
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Broodiness – Some hens have strong maternal instincts and will stop laying to incubate eggs. Only get a broody breed if you want to hatch chicks.
Once you’ve selected your breeds, buy chicks from a reputable hatchery or farm store in early spring. Plan for 3-5 chicks per adult in your family to ensure enough daily eggs.
Providing the Proper Housing
One of the most important parts of starting a backyard chicken flock is providing a safe, secure home base. Your coop should have the following:
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Shelter – A sturdy structure that protects against predators, rain, wind, and sun.
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Perches – Chickens sleep on perches elevated off the ground. Allow 8-10 inches per bird.
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Nest boxes – Provide one 12×12 inch box for every 2-3 hens for egg laying. Line with straw.
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Dust bathing area – Chickens take dust baths to clean their feathers. Designate a box with loose dirt.
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Ventilation – Good airflow reduces odor and keeps chickens healthy. Include windows and vents.
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Easy access – Doors and windows that make cleaning and collecting eggs convenient for you.
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Rodent-proof – Seal any openings bigger than 1/4 inch to prevent mice and rats.
In addition to the coop, an outdoor run allows chickens room to roam safely. Aim for 10 square feet per bird.
Offering Proper Chicken Care
Caring for backyard chickens involves more than just providing housing. Here are some other key elements:
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Water – Fresh, clean water at all times is essential. Use plastic or galvanized founts to reduce spills.
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Quality feed – Choose a complete feed with 16% protein minimum. Offer 1/4 pound per hen daily.
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Grit – Chickens need grit to grind and digest food. Provide a sprinkling in a separate dish.
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Supplements – Offer free choice oyster shell for calcium and a vitamin mineral blend.
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Clean litter – Spot clean manure daily and do a full coop clean out 1-2 times per year.
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Health management – Monitor for illness, trim beaks/nails as needed, and keep vaccinations current.
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Predator protection – Secure housing and supervise free-range time to protect from wild and domestic predators.
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Entertainment – Keep chickens mentally stimulated by scattering treats in litter or hanging cabbage.
Following these guidelines will keep your flock healthy and productive for years to come. Expect to spend 15-30 minutes per day caring for 3-5 chickens.
Understanding Chicken Health Issues
While chickens are generally hardy birds, they can encounter certain health problems. Being able to recognize and treat common conditions is key.
Here are some to watch for:
Respiratory Diseases
Caused by viruses or bacteria. Symptoms include sneezing, wheezing, discharge from eyes or nose. Can be fatal. Isolate sick birds immediately and consult a vet.
External Parasites
Lice, mites and fleas can live on chickens and in coops. Look for excessive preening, bald spots, scaly legs. Treat with sprays, dusts, or by cleaning coop.
Impacted Crop
When feed gets stuck in crop area and causes a blockage. Bird will stop eating. Massage crop to break up blockage.
Egg Binding
When a fully formed egg gets stuck inside hen. Symptoms include straining, sitting in nest for long periods. Apply warm compresses and lubricate vent gently.
Bumblefoot
Bacterial infection of footpad. Causes limping, swollen feet. Treat by cleaning wound and applying antibiotic ointment.
Monitor chickens closely and isolate any that seem under the weather. Quick action can prevent major outbreaks. Having a relationship with a poultry vet is also wise.
Cost Breakdown of Starting a Coop
When budgeting for a basic backyard coop housing 3-5 chickens, here are approximate costs to expect:
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One time purchases
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Coop – $300-$600 depending on materials and size
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Run – $100-$300 for fencing and supplies
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Feeders – $20
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Waterers – $20
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Nest boxes – $30
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Perches – $20
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Heat lamp & brooder (if starting with chicks) – $40
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Total: $530-$1030
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Recurring expenses
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Chickens – $5-15 each
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Feed – $15-20 per month
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Bedding – $10-20 per month
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Supplements/grit – $10 per month
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Miscellaneous supplies (shavings, cleaning tools, etc) – $20 per month
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Total recurring: $60-$100 per month
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Additional potential costs to factor in: chicken run enhancement, coop modifications, vet bills, replacing flock. Realistically, expect to invest $1000+ starting out. Ongoing costs range $500-1000 annually.
Is Keeping Backyard Chickens Right for You?
Hopefully this overview has provided a realistic idea of everything involved with starting a small backyard chicken flock. Keep these final thoughts in mind as you consider taking the plunge:
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Be certain you can commit to daily chicken care before getting started. They are dependent on humans for their well-being.
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Check local ordinances to ensure chickens are permitted in your area and follow all guidelines.
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Prepare for some short term discomforts like noise and manure smells until you get systems figured out.
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Anticipate costs and schedule periodic maintenance like coop cleaning and vet visits.
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Understand natural chicken behaviors so you can interpret their communication and interact safely.
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Enjoy the rewarding experience of a sustainable mini-farm! Homegrown eggs are delicious.
Why Should You Raise Chickens?
There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. The eggs are a real temptation—tastier and fresher than any store-bought eggs, and better for baking, too. The shells, along with the chicken poop, can be tossed right into the compost pile.
Most of the day, the birds entertain themselves, picking at grass, worms, beetles, and all the good things that go into making those yummy farm eggs. Plus, with their keen eye for insect pests, chickens make for great gardening companions.
Remember, though: Nothing good comes easy!
Things to Consider Before Getting Chickens
- First, check local town ordinances to ensure that keeping chickens is even allowed in your neighborhood or if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep at once. The last thing you want is to invest time and money into preparing for chickens and then find out that you can’t even keep them!
- Make sure you have the space for a henhouse or a full-size chicken coop. It has to hold a feeder and water containers, a roosting area, and a nest box for every three hens. A proper coop should be large enough that you can stand in it to gather eggs and shovel manure comfortably, but a simple henhouse can be quite a bit smaller. Plus, any housing must be sturdy enough to keep your chickens safe from all the predators out there! Here’s how to build a chicken coop in your backyard.
- Chickens need food (and water) daily. Feed is about $20 per 50-pound bag at my co-op, but prices vary depending on your location and the quality of the feed. How long a bag lasts depends on the number of chickens that you have.
- Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day.
- All year ‘round, you’ll have to shovel manure. Yippee!
- If you go away on vacation, you’ll need a reliable chicken-sitter—and they can be scarcer than hens’ teeth!
Raising Backyard Chickens // Beginners Guide
FAQ
What all do you need to start a chicken coop?
You will need a waterer, feeder, feed, grit , scratch, a roost, nesting boxes, and chicken coop bedding.
How many eggs will 6 chickens lay in a week?
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The “90/10 rule” for chickens refers to a feeding guideline that recommends 90% of a chicken’s daily diet should be a complete feed, while the remaining 10% can be treats.
What supplies do I need for a chicken coop?
- Roosting Bars.
- Proper temperature control.
- Engaging toys.
- Secure run.
- Reliable feeders and waterers.
- Balanced chicken feed.
- Absorbent bedding material.
- Adequate ventilation.